Photography Tips
Gear Wars
05/01/19 10:55
The attention of photographers can easily be swayed away from how to take a good photograph to who has the best gear or brand. We sit our camera up on the mantel as if owning one was the end goal rather than developing good photographer technique.
Routinely we see young photographers upgrade their camera gear to the good stuff and find themselves disappointed with their upgrade. Not because the camera is no good but because at this point they realise their expensive new toy doesn’t make them a better photographer. Their DSLR is amazing and they hoped it would make their photography shine which it can do - once the photographer develops the skill. The camera is only part of the equation.
Regularly now in online photographic groups we see crying brides complain of ruined wedding photographs because someone purchased a 1D or a D5 and thought that alone made them a good photographer. One may suggest they look at portfolios closer before hiring but maybe beginner photographers might be better to discover what they don’t know yet before advertising as a professional photographer.
I’d rather call myself an amateur and surprise people with great photographs than call myself a professional and disappoint people with substandard photographs.
I read a quote recently which said, “Let’s get away from the conversation of equipment and focus on the art of seeing.” Let’s face facts. All leading camera manufacturers know how to make a good camera today but the more important question is do you know how to take a good photograph?
As a musician this situation was familiar to me. Yamaha or Korg? Then DAW of choice (music software) Then PC or Mac? Millions of musicians across the globe right now are waiting for various software companies to release their next update hoping that this will make the difference when the truth is music software is already so over filled with options and functionality that most don’t have a clue where to start. The stuff you really need and will used most hasn’t really changed much since the 90’s. It’s foundational. But we’re so taken by pretty curtains we’ve forgotten about the foundations that support the whole thing. The functionality of DAW’s these days is staggering! But hoping the DAW programmers will make the difference for you as a musician will leave you wondering why your career never really took off. Let me save you some false hope - If you (personally) have nothing to offer musically then software can’t mask that. That update you seek young Jedi isn’t the difference maker: YOU are.
When I arrive at various concert halls do you know what piano I play? The one the venue provides. If I’m lucky it’s a Bosendorfer or a Steinway. More likely it will be a Yamaha. Other nights I know I’m going to be working hard to make what’s on that stage sound good. But people don’t come to hear the piano brands. They come to hear me play. (For which I am truly blessed.)
Imagine if that was how photography worked. You arrive at a venue and someone hands you their DSLR. That is the camera you have to use for this shoot. Because the same premise applies. They don’t come to see Nikon, Canon, Hasselblad, Sony, nor Panasonic. They come to see you photographs!
My first camera was a D3200. I could have purchased something nicer but I wanted something without the bells and whistles so I wasn’t distracted by gimmicks. By the time I finally upgraded I had a few skills at least. Then my upgrade was a small one. I got a D3400. In photographic groups this was almost embarrassing as others had D750’s and 5D’s or bigger. I often called the D3400, My humble D3400,” until a recognised photographer and store owner threw back, “Believe me, there’s nothing humble about a D3400.” Within a year I was taking better photographs with my D3400 than friends were with much more expensive cameras. Twice within a single month photographers with big expensive cameras asked for advice on moon photography. When they asked what gear I used they literally walked away mid sentence with that pompous, indignant look.
Should you get good gear? If you can justify it within your budget and (not or) within your commitment level to the craft. On the condition you’ve developed the craft to a worthy level of proficiency the bigger camera will assist you in taking better photographs but for those who haven’t developed adequate skill, the camera can’t really help that. Put your 18 month old baby on a 290 Imperial Bosendorfer piano and what they play won’t sound like Chopin just because it’s a 290 Imperial they’re playing. The same can be said for young photographers.
Don’t define yourself as a photographer based on what gear you do or don’t have. You’re not good or bad because of the gear you own or don’t own. You’re good or bad because of the skills you’ve developed or haven’t. Concentrate on learning and developing skills. With great skills a basic camera can shine. With no skills the most expensive camera in the world will seem disappointing. Last easter (2018) I was in Tekapo at the Church or the Good Shepard which attracts photographers like light attracts flies. It looked like a tech show as tourists commonly had $10,000 or more hanging around their necks. In talking with them the majority were shooting JPG in Auto mode and the photographs weren’t horrible but not what they should be or even close.
While your friends are bragging about having the latest this, that, or the other, take some courses and learn the math of how to set up your camera. Study the photographic rules. Get out in the field and take some failures. Failures are always the foundation of success and failing in photography is often safe as you simply throw out the bad ones. Learn how to look for the shot before getting your camera out. Learn how to get higher percentages of keepers from any given shoot. Take all the automatic features off and run everything manual so you’re doing the work rather than the technology.
Your camera is but the tool. Are you the photographer?
Routinely we see young photographers upgrade their camera gear to the good stuff and find themselves disappointed with their upgrade. Not because the camera is no good but because at this point they realise their expensive new toy doesn’t make them a better photographer. Their DSLR is amazing and they hoped it would make their photography shine which it can do - once the photographer develops the skill. The camera is only part of the equation.
Regularly now in online photographic groups we see crying brides complain of ruined wedding photographs because someone purchased a 1D or a D5 and thought that alone made them a good photographer. One may suggest they look at portfolios closer before hiring but maybe beginner photographers might be better to discover what they don’t know yet before advertising as a professional photographer.
I’d rather call myself an amateur and surprise people with great photographs than call myself a professional and disappoint people with substandard photographs.
I read a quote recently which said, “Let’s get away from the conversation of equipment and focus on the art of seeing.” Let’s face facts. All leading camera manufacturers know how to make a good camera today but the more important question is do you know how to take a good photograph?
As a musician this situation was familiar to me. Yamaha or Korg? Then DAW of choice (music software) Then PC or Mac? Millions of musicians across the globe right now are waiting for various software companies to release their next update hoping that this will make the difference when the truth is music software is already so over filled with options and functionality that most don’t have a clue where to start. The stuff you really need and will used most hasn’t really changed much since the 90’s. It’s foundational. But we’re so taken by pretty curtains we’ve forgotten about the foundations that support the whole thing. The functionality of DAW’s these days is staggering! But hoping the DAW programmers will make the difference for you as a musician will leave you wondering why your career never really took off. Let me save you some false hope - If you (personally) have nothing to offer musically then software can’t mask that. That update you seek young Jedi isn’t the difference maker: YOU are.
When I arrive at various concert halls do you know what piano I play? The one the venue provides. If I’m lucky it’s a Bosendorfer or a Steinway. More likely it will be a Yamaha. Other nights I know I’m going to be working hard to make what’s on that stage sound good. But people don’t come to hear the piano brands. They come to hear me play. (For which I am truly blessed.)
Imagine if that was how photography worked. You arrive at a venue and someone hands you their DSLR. That is the camera you have to use for this shoot. Because the same premise applies. They don’t come to see Nikon, Canon, Hasselblad, Sony, nor Panasonic. They come to see you photographs!
My first camera was a D3200. I could have purchased something nicer but I wanted something without the bells and whistles so I wasn’t distracted by gimmicks. By the time I finally upgraded I had a few skills at least. Then my upgrade was a small one. I got a D3400. In photographic groups this was almost embarrassing as others had D750’s and 5D’s or bigger. I often called the D3400, My humble D3400,” until a recognised photographer and store owner threw back, “Believe me, there’s nothing humble about a D3400.” Within a year I was taking better photographs with my D3400 than friends were with much more expensive cameras. Twice within a single month photographers with big expensive cameras asked for advice on moon photography. When they asked what gear I used they literally walked away mid sentence with that pompous, indignant look.
Should you get good gear? If you can justify it within your budget and (not or) within your commitment level to the craft. On the condition you’ve developed the craft to a worthy level of proficiency the bigger camera will assist you in taking better photographs but for those who haven’t developed adequate skill, the camera can’t really help that. Put your 18 month old baby on a 290 Imperial Bosendorfer piano and what they play won’t sound like Chopin just because it’s a 290 Imperial they’re playing. The same can be said for young photographers.
Don’t define yourself as a photographer based on what gear you do or don’t have. You’re not good or bad because of the gear you own or don’t own. You’re good or bad because of the skills you’ve developed or haven’t. Concentrate on learning and developing skills. With great skills a basic camera can shine. With no skills the most expensive camera in the world will seem disappointing. Last easter (2018) I was in Tekapo at the Church or the Good Shepard which attracts photographers like light attracts flies. It looked like a tech show as tourists commonly had $10,000 or more hanging around their necks. In talking with them the majority were shooting JPG in Auto mode and the photographs weren’t horrible but not what they should be or even close.
While your friends are bragging about having the latest this, that, or the other, take some courses and learn the math of how to set up your camera. Study the photographic rules. Get out in the field and take some failures. Failures are always the foundation of success and failing in photography is often safe as you simply throw out the bad ones. Learn how to look for the shot before getting your camera out. Learn how to get higher percentages of keepers from any given shoot. Take all the automatic features off and run everything manual so you’re doing the work rather than the technology.
Your camera is but the tool. Are you the photographer?